How to manage change effectively

We know that navigating successfully in a world that is changing as fast as ours can be tricky at times. In fact, if we allow it to overwhelm us, change can feel extremely stressful and downright frustrating. If we’re smart, however, we’ve learned that although we can’t alter the fact of constant change, we can learn to manage our response to it. Here’s a sample of how I coach my clients on managing change in their lives:

1. Accept change as a fact of life.

As human beings we are constantly in process. We never get there, our in-box is never empty, and we can’t catch up with technology. Our world is changing at a pace never experienced before…indeed, change is our only constant….accept it!

2. Commit yourself to lifelong learning.

If change is constant, then learning must also be continual. As long as we are learning we’re on the road to an exciting, fulfilling, meaningful life. Learning helps us feel as though we’re moving with the ever-changing world. This helps to relieve our anxiety of feeling left behind. We feel better because when we’re learning we are moving with the world.

3. Get healthy then stay healthy

Change, even positive change, is stressful. To keep stress from getting us, we must stay physically healthy with proper nutrition, enough rest and regular exercise.

4. Look at change as an opportunity.

Changing our attitude about change is one of our best management tools. Look for opportunities in every change in your life. Rather than digging in your heels and resisting change, allow yourself to flow with it and see where it takes you.

5. Develop and maintain a strong network and support team.

Many changes in our lives require us to lean on others for emotional support and/or advice. Have your team in place…ready to see you through the inevitable significant changes in your life.

6. Develop your spirituality.

God is the only aspect of our lives that is constant. She is the same today, tomorrow, and into infinity. This is a comforting and stabilizing thought in today’s world. To have a friend, a confidante, a love who will never outgrow us, leave us, or change her behavior toward us is surely one of the greatest gifts of life.

7. Engage in rituals.

Performing a task or celebration in the same way week after week or year after year gives us a sense of stability, a feeling of being grounded, a sense of security. Even the ritual of pouring a cup of coffee before settling down to work, eating dinner as a family, having lunch at a special restaurant on Fridays, or writing daily in a journal can be significant in dealing with change. Performing rituals and celebrating holidays in a certain way, gives us the satisfaction that not everything is changing.

8. Eliminate the tolerations in your life.

Get rid of the little irritations (and sometimes big ones) that drain your energy…energy you need to manage change. A toleration can be something as simple as a missing button or as significant as a toxic person.

9. Keep a daily journal.

 

When change is viewed over a period of time there is more sense to it. Seeing this historical perspective of past change in our life can give us more objectivity to meet the current changes that are facing us.

10. Engage in meditation.

 

Being centered within yourself grounds you for the changes you’re required to face every day. Take a moment to quiet your mind, your body, your soul. You’ll reap the rewards of this gift you give yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Overcome Fear of Rejection

Often in our lives we must ask someone for something. Whether the object of our desire is money, a date, a favor, an appointment, a raise, help, etc., we sometimes become tense, overwrought and paralyzed by the possibility that our request will be denied. Here are some proven ways to get into action for the results you desire.

1. Imagine the best that could happen.

Imagination has power; use it to imagine the best, not the worst outcome. Imagine that your prospect says "Yes"!

2. Begin.

Schedule an appointment with yourself to initiate the first contact. Go ahead, put the date and time in your day planner. Keep that appointment. No appointment to call prospects means no appointments with prospects.

3. Let a stranger run your life. (NOT!)

Every minute you spend in fear is a minute controlled by someone you don't know or something that hasn't happened. You are the one to determine whether or not you will enjoy success.

4. Have a vision bigger than you are.

Fear of rejection will be reduced to cold ashes when it is ignited by your burning desire. What fabulous picture do you see for yourself when your vision becomes reality?

5. Get a buddy.

It is easier (and more fun) to whistle in the dark when someone is in it with you. Trade off making calls and give feedback. Get better at what you do that works. When two or more people confront the boogeyman, he doesn't stand a chance!

6. Remember, it's about numbers.

Keep track of your numbers. Know how many contacts it takes for you now to generate the number of appointments you need this week, to make the number of presentations you need this month, to get the number of YESSES you want this year.

7. Stay open to the outcome.

All you can do is your best. How people respond to that is beyond your control. However, when you focus on being your best, you will get more positive responses.

8. Be more interested in them than in yourself.

You have something of value to offer them whether they want it today or next year. By not contacting them, you deprive them of the opportunity to choose you to provide that value. Be generous; make that contact.

9. Use proven scripts and presentations.

Know what you are going to say. The more you know your presentation, the more relaxed, confident, and flexible you will be in making it. You will be free to really listen, and listening is the cornerstone of exceptional relationships. Exceptional relationships yield exceptional results.

10. Let your sphere of influence help make you successful.

The folks who know and trust you will be glad to talk with you, and they will give you referrals if they know the kind of referrals you want. Take the time to educate them about what you want for referrals, about how you will treat that referral, and about how you will thank them for making the referral. Make it easy and comfortable for them to help you be successful.